“Good news for once! I pray she does not end up in Mictlan but in a different hellish place. She should suffer for eternity. Being part mortal ensures that part.”
“But she could also be a victim. I was told she was sacrificed by her master to their patrons. I doubt if she had any choice in the matter,” noted Tyler.
“There is that possibility. Forgive me for being impetuous about these things. The horrors I have seen. The future of my people at stake.”
“For my part, I try to hold on to what makes me different from them. Though I heard not all of their gods are in favor of what the pantheon is doing.”
“We also heard the same rumor, but inaction on the part of such deities does not help my people except for the fact that we are not facing the entire pantheon. But our long history with them is full of conflict and death.”
“I wish your people well, Seth-Tenoch. I also pray for the day you can live in peace. I heard you have helped a lot of human civilizations grow and develop.”
“That we did. But human frailties always get in the way of a truly enlightened and strong people. If ever we get the chance again, I know my people will again do what they have done in the past. Try to get humans to reach their potential. Humans can evolve and transcend themselves. Magical creatures do not.”
“I believe I have heard the same statement from an Incan deity. Let’s talk about freeing your brothers.”
“That would mean Habrok would be the one to hold and unlock the key,” commented Seth-Tenoch.
“I won’t ask anybody to do something which I can also do on my own. But my guess is the collars are designed specifically for magical beings. Otherwise, the Aztecah mages won’t be able to touch or hold the key. Much less the collars.”
“I reckon you’re right. You have time to do this?”
“Let’s figure it out,” answered the mage as he stood up. Asem also followed. Tyler could see the rest of his companions spread around them, covering blind spots. Habrok had a loose arrow in his bow. Astrid had recovered her throwing axes and javelins. Tyndur, battleaxe on his shoulder, had a grin on his face as he surveyed the woods around them.
Must be orgasmic for the berserker. I guess it’s his first rumble in a few millennia. The Crocodile was more a one on one proposition.
Once they got to the dead mage holding the key, the giant told him it is in a small brown pouch tied to the belt of the dead man. Tyler came closer and got it. Glancing at the body, he saw Habrok’s arrow transfixing an eye, the neck, and the chest.
Yep, preternaturally accurate. His skill had vastly improved. A deity blessed him? I know the bow is a rare example of the weapon but this accurate? I’ll bet his ass some magic is at work here.
He opened the pouch and gingerly touched the key. It was a strange design. A five-inch-long stick made of a gold and silver alloy with a small square, inscribed with a set of miniature sigils, at its end. He guessed the ornately decorated square was meant to be touched to the collar. He didn’t feel weakened as he held the key though his enhanced senses told him a faint thrum of power ran through the object.
Holding the key, he went to the captives. They looked miserably weak and unaware of their surroundings. One of the giant warriors was trying to talk to one of the prisoners but apparently was getting no response.
“His brother,” said Seth-Tenoch. “No reaction at all. Too weak to respond. I doubt if they know where they are.”
“Let’s do his collar first,” suggested Tyler as he moved towards the brothers.
When he touched the key to the seamless collar, it split in half and fell to the ground. The brother pulled the captive to one side, some distance from the collar on the ground. Tyler observed the freed prisoner’s eyes suddenly regain some awareness and looked up at the standing brother with recognition.
Tyler looked at Seth-Tenoch.
“It works. Let’s free the rest.”
The mage went down the line of prisoners, unlocking collars. Every time a captive was freed, a warrior was there to assist the awakening giant. It was a few sad minutes for the mage. Some prisoners were openly crying as they regained awareness. Warriors could also cry, thought Tyler.
He shuddered as he thought about what filled the minds of the captives as they walked with the collars around their necks. The collars were undoubtedly derived from dark Elder knowledge or maybe even made by the Followers of Zin. He wouldn’t be surprised if the minds of the prisoners were in a nightmare land or some twisted dark illusion while under captivity. Some warriors took food and drinks from the stores and started feeding their brethren.
Tyler looked at Seth-Tenoch. The man’s face was grim. The mage knew a wave of fury was bottled within. A great anger which would be unleashed upon the first Aztecah group the warband faced later on.
“My thanks, High Mage. You don’t realize how much this means to my people and me. This is but a small battle, but it gives us hope that the ring of death around my people can be broken. We owe you more than you could imagine. Hope is priceless.”
“Isn’t that a bit extreme, war leader? This is but one skirmish.”
“It is the first time we have been able to recover prisoners. All attempts before have failed or resulted in more prisoners. You can see how such a successful rescue affects us.”
“I apologize, war leader. I didn’t know,” Tyler regretfully replied.
“No need to, High Mage. Few know of our struggles against the empire and fewer still realize the plight of our people. But it is time to go our separate ways. Our warband may not be able to escort you to where you are going. Taking care of eighteen weak and sickly captives is not an easy task. Hopefully, we will be able to avoid Aztecah patrols.”
Tyler saw that each captive had an assisting warrior. That would be a tiring and challenging trip back for them. With one walking wounded, that leaves the war leader the sole available scout and guard.
“I hope to cripple their power somehow,” said Tyler. “That may provide some breathing space for your people. How do I get in touch with you in the future?”
“Now that’s a worthy, though perilous, venture. I pray you do succeed. But a bit of advice. Never become a prisoner of the empire. It’s better to be dead and done with everything. Wait here. I’ll get something.”
Seth-Tenoch quickly went to the closest giant and got something from the warrior. He walked back to Tyler.
“Here. A ring of calling. A Quinametzin work. Though it just sends a sign through the magical field to the person you want to contact. It’s empty right now. Fill it with energy, think of my image, and then call my name in your mind. I will be able to see who is using the ring. Then I will show you the place and date where we can meet. Normally, it just crumbles back to its original form, magical energy, when the wearer is dead or incapacitated. But what we can craft, I can modify. Be warned though, the range is limited. Around a hundred miles. If you’re coming from outside the empire, you have to be at the Inka border to have a reasonable chance of reaching me.”
“Thanks, Seth-Tenoch. Fare you well.”
“And to you, High Mage. May our mother watch over you.”
Mother? Don’t tell me that’s the same mother referred to by Viracocha.
Tyler slipped the artifact on the ring finger of his left hand. He looked at it. It seemed like another thin gold band. There was no indication that it was made of solidified magical energy.
More of this and my hands will be full of rings. That would make Dionysus happy with his gauntlet project. And Viracocha. Makes me wonder what’s the obsession with gauntlets?
He gathered his companions and in the same formation as before, continued their journey towards the city. This time, he did his checking of their surroundings more frequently. Throughout the trek, they had to stop and take cover a few times due to caravans and groups of people all making their way to the great city through nearby jungle trails. Habrok had estimated their arrival on the outskirts at just before midnight, barring other complicati
ons. The lack of military activity relieved Tyler. The traffic appeared to be purely civilian and commercial. A military contingent would have priests and mages. The mage knew there’s no telling what those practitioners may be able to detect.
As usual, their furtive passage was marked with frequent stops to rest and eat. And the casting of healing spells. Unable to use the forest trails, the route through the underbrush was a tiring and bruising exercise. Tyler knew Habrok would be using the most accessible way he could find through the rainforest. Still, the thick foliage bruised and battered tired muscles and exposed skin. Fighting the Aztecah was way easier than this, thought Tyler.
Finally, they saw Habrok ahead, waiting patiently for them again.
I hope it’s not a problem, the apprehension crossed Tyler’s mind.
The rest of the companions moved to guard their flanks while he went to Habrok.
“Yes, Habrok?” he whispered.
“The city can be seen around fifty feet ahead. A thicket on high ground. Below is cleared land and a dirt road heading towards a gate in the walls. Three hundred feet distance from the thicket. I was observing the city around ten minutes ago when several bright lights exploded somewhere inside. Then a display of various colored rays could be seen. Distant shouts and the noise of magical battle. Explosions. Bizarre sounds. The city must be huge. I could barely make out the noise. When I left, I could see people starting to run out of the gate.”
Those gray mofos! They started early?
Chapter Lore:
Otomies, the Shorn Ones – Among the highest warrior societies in Aztecah society. The Shorn Ones were considered to the elite of the elite and usually open only to the nobility. Below them were the knights of the Jaguar and Eagle societies. The Jaguar society worshipped Huitzilopochtli and the Eagle society had Tezcatlipoca as its primary deity. Other deities who have something to do with war also have smaller warrior societies.
Tahtib – Egyptian stick-fighting martial art. Its practice dates back thousands of years and appears to be also utilized for military training.
Lotus fighting art – An ancient Egyptian martial art which focuses on hand-to-hand combat. It has variations for weapons.
Chapter XX
Temple Heist
The mage turned his attention to his guides.
“Guys? Have you determined how those gray things track me?”
“Not yet, Elder. But we have identified three possible sources. The most probable would be the resonance our systems leave in the ether. Only those with Elder abilities could find and identify it,” explained X.
“Please try to make it a priority. I don’t want those things to be following us after we finish our job here. And we’re going inside their main temple complex. Be alert and on our usual defensive arrangements. Strengthen the shield and the invisibility spell. Use our reserves if needed. A lot is riding on this roll of the dice.”
“Affirmed, Elder,” Hal replied.
Those amateurs. They attacked the minute they sensed me closing in on the city. They could have waited fifteen to twenty minutes more, enough to let me reach the thicket Habrok mentioned. But their assault will help me pass the gate. Can’t get good help these days, Tyler thought as he surreptitiously grinned. I really wanted to be able to say that.
“Let’s move, Habrok. Lead the way.”
They reached the thicket just in time to see many exploding lights of many colors over the city. A loud and continuous rumble, like thunder, followed.
Freak me. Looks like Christmas. Fourth of July even.
He quickly gathered the companions around him.
“This is our withdrawal point. If you feel like seeing the sights, do not go beyond a hundred feet from that gate and stay together as a group. If you see a vertical beam of light in the direction where we will be going, that means we need help. Asem will be your party leader while Habrok and I play at being tourists. Please try to stay out of sight for the time being. Habrok, keep behind me. I will cast an invisibility cloak on you. As for me, being a local will suit me perfectly.”
With that statement, Tyler turned into a copy of the dead Aztecah mage Habrok spiked with his arrows.
“How do I look?”
“Very bloodthirsty, sire,” said Tyndur who then continued with—
Alas for those who wallow
In blood; Woe to the eaters
Of hearts; Comes a holy fire,
Burning tainted souls
And deities of the dark.
“The best I could come up with in the spur of the moment, sire,” the einherjar said with a smile.
“Thanks, Tyndur. It sounded good. Appropriate for the occasion. Now to begin our play. May it be a lot more entertaining for us than for them.”
Tyler left the thicket at a fast walk, Habrok following him and made invisible by the spell. As he neared the gate, the mage could see more people rushing out and fleeing along the road. His appearance as an Aztecah mage made it easier for him. The large magelights set up above the gate helped with his visibility. Even severely frightened, people recognized the symbols and attire as they gave him a wide berth. The guards seemed glad to see him and actually made a corridor for him to pass, holding off the escaping populace with their spears until Tyler passed the gate.
By this time, Tyler didn’t need to find out the direction where the central temple complex was located. All he needed to do was head for the deadly magical display. He had no doubt those colorful blasts were lethal. Even at a distance, explosions could be heard. The mage hoped that collateral damage wouldn’t be an issue for him and Habrok. The beams and magical attacks were evidently unpredictable. Tyler saw a blast rebound off a barrier and detonate somewhere else. Both of them were already running, with a prow-shaped shield in front of Tyler. He couldn’t afford to stumble into individuals who failed to recognize his attire in the dim illumination of the street. But both of them kept to the side of the road.
Pandemonium ruled the entire city. A panicking mass of humanity was fleeing the fighting. Even at the side of the street, Tyler already found it becoming difficult. People were slamming into his shield and he could see a lot of bodies on the road, trampled to death by the multitude of fleeing feet. In a few seconds, he found himself slowed and then stopped by the incoming flood of people. The nearer the mage got to the central plaza, the less effect his mage status had on the chaos before him.
Oh, fuck this! I can’t wait for these people to be gone.
He immediately formed a force corridor among the swarming mass. A narrow rectangular shape closed at the other end. The extending passageway slammed into the people in front of Tyler, pushing them aside and in some instances, tearing them apart. It was like a narrow and small train ran roughshod in a straight line in front of the mage. He ran into the cleared space.
Shit. Did I kill civilians? But I really don’t know if I can call them innocents. Without my disguise and the invisibility spell, many would have stopped fleeing and torn both of us to pieces.
Finally, he reached the edge of the vast central temple plaza. It was a huge open space, bordered by temples. He could see that some of the religious pyramids on the other side had been heavily damaged. Two were already flattened. The shrines on his left were still intact. The fighting was concentrated on the other side of the plaza. Of the four main ziggurats in the middle, the biggest was still standing. But one of the three stone edifices near the biggest ziggurat was already badly hit. Cracks could be seen in its majestic profile.
Tyler thought quickly. He could see that the plaza was already nearly empty, but he couldn’t risk running across the open ground from his present location. He looked at the four religious shrines lined up on his left. The mage decided to keep to the cover offered by the temples and then cross the field at the point nearest to the main ziggurats. But since the magical battle still appeared to be at its height, Tyler decided to pay a visit to each of the four shrines along his way. They must be empty by now, he hopefully surmised.
> “Habrok,” he whispered. “Get your glue ready. We are going to be very religious in a short while.”
“Sire?” Habrok was puzzled.
“I have some of Hephaestus’s stones. Blows up rocks, hills, and temples. Let’s visit the four on my left. I’ll go in first and deal with any problems. Then put the glue on support posts, about four positions in each shrine. Make sure it’s not in an obvious place.”
Tyler could almost feel the laughter of Habrok. Though he heard the ranger trying hard to suppress it.
“Let’s go. Hopefully, the priests and guards also ran away.”
The first temple was indeed empty. But running up the stone steps was a very tiring exercise. Tyler had to cast the light healing spell to remove the fatigue. I am really out of shape, he thought when he entered the temple, breathing heavily. Habrok went to work. The mage noticed that for the fourth position, Habrok dabbed the glue at the lower side of the deity’s stylized effigy. He didn’t know whose temple it was nor did he care. At first, Tyler couldn’t decide how many pebbles to stick to the glue but finally settled on two per location. The peculiar and brightly painted sculpture of the temple’s god did hurt his eyes whenever he gazed upon it. The mage was aware of an undercurrent of power near the statue. He wondered where the deities were but concluded that either they’re hiding or were joined in battle. Tyler was sure that as long as he didn’t do any overt act of violence or destruction, he wouldn’t be noticed. The mage assumed that the hints Viracocha told him about the limitations of the Incan’s temple also held true for the Aztecah deities.
Things were the same at the second and third temple. Tyler’s legs now felt rubbery by the third ziggurat despite the healing he cast on himself and Habrok. He guessed adrenaline was the only thing keeping him going. The fourth temple was the exception. Five guards, a mage, and a priestess remained. Surprised but reassured at the entrance of a fellow mage, the seven let down their guard. Until the swift flying blades cut them down. Looking at the bodies, Tyler couldn’t help but be impressed with their piety. The entire complex was a battle zone, with crumbling and falling structures and yet they remained at their posts. Loyally dead now, he thought.
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